“BILL HENDREN MEMORIAL” SATURDAY AT ROARING KNOB; THOUSANDS OF $ OF CONTINGENCIES; KICKS OFF BUSY WEEKEND FOR SWEENEY RUSH LATE MODEL TOUR
June 3, 2014
(By Mike Leone)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Markleysburg, PA)…After kicking off the season for the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Dirt Late Model Touring Series last Friday night at New York’s Freedom Speedway, action shifts south to Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex this Saturday night (June 7). The “Bill Hendren Memorial” will take place at the scenic 3/8-mile oval in Markleysburg, Pa. followed up by the $4,000 to-win “Steel City 100” and expected $5,000 “Steel City Roulette” drawing on Sunday evening at Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway.
The late engine builder from Rutherfordton, North Carolina was a big supporter of the Crate Late Model engine concept from its inception. Bill passed away on March 19, 2011, but his legacy is being carried on by his son Steve, who continues to operate Hendren Racing Engines and also campaigns a Crate Late Model in the Southeast. Steve was the winner of the inaugural memorial event held back in 2011.
Last year’s event at Roaring Knob marked the first time ever a “Bill Hendren Memorial” event was held in the Northeast. The race was won by Chad McClellan, who ironically is coming off the season opening win last Friday night at Freedom. McClellan also has Sweeney Weekly Series wins this season at Roaring Knob and Winchester Speedway. The Stoystown, Pa. driver is also a loyal customer of Hendren Racing Engines.
“We are truly honored to be able to present a Bill Hendren Memorial in conjunction with one of our RUSH Touring Series events for the second straight year,” expressed RUSH Co-Director Vicki Emig. “The Bill Hendren Memorials have been a huge hit in the past for competitors in the South and we know our racers will be thrilled when they see everything that will be up for grabs in both cash and contingencies once again. While I didn’t personally know Bill Hendren, it’s obvious that he was a great man and built the strong foundation that has established Hendren Racing Engines as one the most respected engine builders in the industry.”
This year’s event will pay $1,500 to-win along with thousands of dollars of contingencies to be given away to the racers. The top three finishers will each receive a beautiful engraved plaque from the Hendren Family. The Hendrens alone are also putting up an additional $5,000 plus in contingencies!
At last year’s event, the racers shared in approximately $8,000 in contingencies and this year that amount is expected to double! Companies such as FK Rod Ends, High Velocity Heads, Dirtwrap, Velocita USA, Flag to Flag, Ontime Body & Graphics, Hendren Racing Engines, Mike’s Custom Tanks, Willy’s Carb & Dyno Shop, R2C Performance Products, Bernheisel Race Components, Race-1, KRC Power Steering, TNT Race Cars, Hooker Custom Headers, BSB Manufacturing, and Schaeffer’s Oil are expected to participate.
In addition, the normal Sweeney Touring Series contingencies will be available. Precise Racing Products will award a $100 gift card for the “Pedal Down” Hard Charger that passes the most cars in the feature. The Brake Man “Tough Brake of the Night” will award three bottles of Xtreme6 Racing Brake Fluid valued at approximately $45 along with a certificate good for either $50 off of a purchase of $100 or more or 20% off any The Brake Man purchase.
The ARbodies “Nosed Out” will award a nose kit to the first driver that fails to qualify for the feature through the B main. Driven Racing Oil’s “Slick Move of the Night” winner will receive a bottle of Driven Racing Oil Race Wax, a can of Driven Racing Oil Speed Clean, and a certificate for $50 off a case of Driven XP Synthetic Racing Oil!
Crate Innovations will present both the “Ignite” and “Performance Plus” Awards. The feature runner-up will receive a carb spacer kit that includes one billet aluminum Accelerator-1, one upper and one lower spacer gasket, and four specifically designed washers used for installation, while the driver that finishes last on the lead lap will receive the Moroso Custom Fit Plug Wire Set, which are custom tailored for use with the Chevrolet Performance 602 and 604 circle track engines.
Clint Elkins of Speedway Benefits and the promoter of Carolina Speedway in Gastonia, North Carolina is awarding a guaranteed starting spot to the winners of both Sweeney Tour events this weekend as well as free entry fees for all non-North Carolina and South Carolina racers for the October 16-17 “King of the Carolinas” crate event. The event does not conflict with any RUSH event. RUSH is part of Speedway Benefits and Elkins is good friends with Steve Hendren.
Roaring Knob has already completed nine Sweeney Weekly Series events with six different winners this season! Current point leader Michael Lake leads the way with three wins followed by Rick Singleton with two, while Dan Angelicchio, McClellan, Jacob Hawkins, and Ryan Montgomery all have single victories. Lake not only leads Roaring Knob’s points but is also atop the standings in the $5,000 to-win Sweeney Weekly Series and $1,000 to-win “Futures Cup”.
Pits open at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday with warm-ups at 6:45 and racing at 7:15. You do not need to be a member of RUSH to compete in any RUSH-sanctioned event. RACEceivers are mandatory and Roaring Knob uses the yellow Westhold transponders.
More information on Sunday’s event at Pittsburgh will be released this week.
Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex is a 3/8-mile clay oval located near Markleysburg, Pa. just off of scenic Route 40 at 380 Fearer Road (look for the road sign) just seven miles east of Nemacolin Woodlands on the right, one mile west of Yough Lake on the left. Check out the website at www.roaringknob.com or call 410-857-3821 (office) or 724-329-0306 on race day.
Hendren Racing Engines is located at 1310 US Highway 221 N., Rutherfordton, NC 28139. Hendren Racing Engines offers equal service and recognition to all. From lower budget racers, to unlimited budget racers, Hendren’s can and will take care of you. They are a family-owned and operated establishment, with value and customer service at the forefront of our business policy. As a family-owned business, Hendren’s not only build racing engines, they also have our own race team. We know what it takes to race, to win, and to keep a family together.
Join Hendren as many of the top crate teams in the nation have done, and finally feel for yourself that your engine builder understands you, values your business, and wants to work with you in every way possible. Hendren’s reputation comes from making you a winner, the legal way! All of their 604 crate engines are built the CORRECT and LEGAL way, by the GM rebuilders book. You will never have an issue in the tech shed!
With their knowledgeable staff and vast experience, you receive fast and friendly service. Hendren’s turnaround time on freshening your existing engine is second to none. We are also very happy to answer any and all technical questions that you may have, even if you are not an existing customer! Give Hendren’s a call for more information at 828-286-0780 or check out their website at www.hendrensracingengines.com.
RUSH Late Model marketing partners include Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, Pace Performance, Hoosier Tire, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Precise Racing Products, ARbodies, The Brake Man, K&N Filters, Bilstein Shocks, Lincoln Electric, TurboStart, Beyea Headers, FK Rod Ends, Bobby Lake Motorsports, Driven Racing Oil, Crate Innovations Inc., Moroso Performance Products, High Gear Speed Shop, RainEater Wiper Blades, CrateInsider.com, Utsinger’s Towing, B.R.A.K.E.S., RockAuto.com, and Valley Fashions.
E-mail can be sent to the RUSH Racing Series at info@rushracingseries.com and snail mail to 4368 Route 422, Pulaski, PA 16143. Office phone is 724-964-9300 and fax is 724-964-0604. The RUSH Racing Series website is www.rushracingseries.com. Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rushlatemodels and follow us on Twitter @RUSHLM.